EAST HARTFORD — Bigger in size, greater in number and more athletic in general. That's the way UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni described his 2013 recruiting class during a signing day press conference at Rentschler Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Huskies signed 22 high school seniors in addition to two players who committed early and have already enrolled in classes for the current semester. Overall, the class received solid marks from national recruiting services.

"We are making progress," Pasqualoni said. "I like the kids that we brought in last year. Those guys are good, tough kids. They are going to add to the program. Maybe this class is a little larger in number and maybe there is just a little more athleticism. And there is very good size with a chance down the road for excellent size in this group."

According to recruiting services Scout.com and Rivals.com, the Huskies' class rates in the middle of the pack both nationwide and in the Big East. Scout.com ranked UConn's class 60th out of 126 schools while Rivals.com rated it 65th. Both rated the class fourth-best among the 10 teams scheduled to play in the Big East this fall. That group, though, includes Louisville and Rutgers, which will both leave the Big East in 2014.

"To me, it is much more important what our evaluation is and what our vision is for the players," Pasqualoni said. "Tell me where he fits. Tell me what he is going to do for us. I know from a recruiting standpoint that fans love to look at the number of stars next to the kid's name. I don't really think you know (how good a recruit is) for a couple of years."

Pasqualoni's priorities were to sign two quarterbacks, a couple of offensive linemen and a couple of defensive linemen. He also needed several tight ends and wanted to keep the most talented players from Connecticut in state. He felt like he accomplished it all.

The Huskies signed six state players, including wide receiver Noel Thomas, who is already enrolled this semester. The best of the group, and arguably the most talented player in the class, is Xavier quarterback Tim Boyle, who threw for 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns while leading his team to the Class LL state title.

"Timmy is 6-foot-4, and his growth potential and his skill set are excellent," Pasqualoni said. "His passion for the game, his focus, his commitment are what you

See RECRUITS, Page 4C

hope your quarterback demonstrates. They are very important at every position, but critical at quarterback."

He verbally committed to Boston College, but changed his mind after the coaching change there and felt right at home with the Huskies, who never lost touch after beginning his recruitment pretty much from the time Pasqualoni got the job two years ago. Boyle's size was attractive to Pasqualoni.

"If you are going to be in a pro-style system, and you are going to throw a dropback pass, the 6-foot guys can do it," Pasqualoni said. "(Incumbent starter Chandler Whitmer) does a fine job. Drew Brees does a fine job. But I think the fact remains that if you are (taller), you can see better down the field. Timmy just can make all the throws. He has an excellent arm. He can get it into tight space. He doesn't panic. He can slide around in there."

Boyle is rated the No. 25 pro-style quarterback in the recruiting class by Rivals.com and the No. 70 quarterback overall by Scout.com.

"Cory Jasudowich is a very high motor player at 6-2, 230 with prototype size," Pasqualoni said. "He has the toughness, vision and skill set to be a good linebacker."

Lemelle is the Pennsylvania career record holder in receptions (269) and receiving yards (4,529) while his 38 touchdowns are second. He is a player who could see playing time in the slot as a freshman.

"He is a really, really productive guy," Pasqualoni said. "We have some nice guys on campus to compete for that spot, but Brian Lemelle has a pretty good skill set. It is going to depend upon how grown up he is."

Each of the two scouting services also ranked four different players as three-star recruits. Rivals' other four were defensive end Sha-ki Holines from Springfield, Mass., defensive end Cameron Stapleton from Staten Island, N.Y., tight end Quinn Thompson from Edinboro, Pa., and wide receiver Dhameer Bradley from New Castle, Del.

Scout's other four three-star players were cornerback Javon Hadley from Miami, linebacker Junior Joseph from Sinking Springs, Pa. , tight end Thomas Myers from Coventry and fullback Matt Walsh from Hand of Madison.

"Matt Walsh is very athletic and can play the fullback position," Pasqualoni said. "He is a very high motor player who could play the linebacker position, as well, but is committed to us to be a fullback. He is very athletic kid who can run, catch the ball and make blocks down the field."

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.